The Editor,

I feel obliged to place the recent correspondence in its correct cultural context.

Newcomers to South East Asia should bear in mind that the wild and exotic Far East

is home to many strange phenomena and forms of living not normally encountered in

other parts of the world.

Much has been written on this page recently about mariage between Cambodians and

foreigners which may in fact be a load of old bull!

Prior to his death George Orwell converted to Theravada Buddhism and has reincarnated

as a severely infected mad cow now appendicing chapters to Animal Farm.

The gist of the latest twist is that an old Bull has turned out not to be an old

bull at all, but is in fact a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing that has caught a

very stupid chicken that is in fact a very intelligent and predatory cat disguised

as a beautiful, rare and highly endangered butterfly.

Illusions of this kind and other paranormal activity are common everyday occurrences

in this part of the world and placed in context cause little concern to the locals

compared to other events of more magnitude.

I am reasonably confident that we foreigners can expect to encounter many other phenomena

that will continue to amaze, concern, stun and enrage us, all at the same time and

on a daily basis.

- Jack Norio, Phnom Penh.